As far as I'm aware the shedding is completely normal, but you have the right idea that you shouldn't pull the old skin off if still attached. Regular bathing is the best way to help a tortoise shed.
With regards to worming, you should have a poo sample looked at under a microscope by an exotics vet to see if it has a worm infestation. It is now thought that one or 2 worms/eggs seen in the poo sample benefits the tortoise and you shouldn't worm them unless they have a bad infestation. The exotics vet will be able to give you the correct wormer and dosage if needed

 

If you can see worms in the poop, then it needs to be wormed - not sure who said it was beneficial. A couple of worms will not do much harm but will soon multiply and if you can see one, there will be far more. In the wild, they pass the eggs and move on - in captivity they will reingest the eggs and the worm load will multiply.

 

Abacus Laboratory
5 Glebe Road
Cogenhoe
Northampton
NN7 1NR
07967114030

They do a worm count for £6.00.
Shedding is perfectly normal in reptiles.

 

Shedding is normal so long as it is not excessive - sometimes it happens when they grow too fast too. If it is a russian/horsfield tortoise it is more likely to shed as they grow much more slowly in the wild, eating for only 3-4 months of the year.
You can get panacur wormer from post pet outlets. The puppy and kitten one can be used at the same dosage for tortoises. You would be better having a worm count done first though to make sure you need it.

 

It is a known fact that if you use wormers for mammals too often the worms become immune to the wormers, so you have to change it. healthy adult animals tend to cope with a small worm burden, so it's probably the same for reptiles. I certainly don't worm my babies and the adults were done years back now.

 

It is a known fact that if you use wormers for mammals too often the worms become immune to the wormers, so you have to change it. healthy adult animals tend to cope with a small worm burden, so it's probably the same for reptiles. I certainly don't worm my babies and the adults were done years back now.

I just go by a study I did for the Royal Veterinary College - their conclusion following a three year study, was that captive animals should be wormed annually, obviously you would not do it more than this if there was not a problem. If you do your own tortoise faecals, never do you own (human) unless you wish to be grossed out :whistling2: I know that some don't do them unless they see a problem but I have immune compromised people here, so don't tempt fate I would never leave my dogs unwormed, so the same goes for any other captive, creature The RVC states in their study that even after worming there will be some left............................ so presumably they will be the ones to keep things happy